Starting shot NAP2027 LA.LV

Today, the Saeima supported the draft decision on the National Development Plan for 2021-2027 (NAP2027).

77 members voted in favor of the draft decision, two against and two abstentions, but 11 did not vote.

Vjačeslavs Dombrovskis (S), the rapporteur of the draft decision, introduced the NAP2027 to the deputies, noted that the National Development Plan (NDP) has never been completed, but its support in the Saeima is considered to be a “starting shot”.

He also explained that although the document was a long-term plan, it also included short-term solutions to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 crisis.

Discussing the draft decision, Daniels Pavļuts (AP!) Noted that although Latvia has made significant progress since the adoption of the previous NDP, it still lags behind its neighbors in many important indicators, such as health care and poverty reduction. Accordingly, he emphasized that NAP2027 provides significant support for medicine, digital development, green growth, media literacy and also culture.

In his turn, Jānis Butāns (JKP) emphasized that NAP2027 shows a vision of what the transport sector in Latvia will be like in the future.

Several deputies, including Andris Kazinovskis and Dana Reizniece-Ozola (ZZS), pointed out that the NAP2027 pays too little attention to reducing inequalities between Riga and the regions.

However, Jānis Dombrava (VL-TB / LNNK) expressed satisfaction that NAP2027 had managed to include and reflect the most important issues for his party, including the exclusion of measures to promote immigration and the inclusion of an action map to promote public health by reducing tobacco and alcohol dependence.

Regīna Ločmele-Luņova (S), on the other hand, noted that NAP2027 did not comply with the Satversme, as it insufficiently reduces the risks of poverty for the population. Aldis Gobzems also criticized the draft decision, emphasizing that it was a “bureaucratic document” that did not say anything. He also pointed to a number of negative statistical indicators, in which Latvia is at the top.

Sandis Riekstins (JKP) stated in the debate that NAP2027 could not be supported because it was intended to reduce the existing support for sports.

The NDP is the main medium-term planning document, which defines the national development goals, priorities and directions of action in each of them, as well as the results to be achieved and the responsible institutions.